Round 4, four minutes and 32 seconds. That’s all it took Alex Pereira to defeat Khalil Rountree at UFC 307. For people who have followed the Brazilian’s rise to the top, it was no surprise that he won via TKO (punches). With his latest win, his record stands at 12-2. Out of the 12 wins, a whopping 10 were via KO/TKO and two via decisions. This shows what a dangerous striker he is and his kickboxing background has surely helped him. However, there is more to it.

Marc Goddard, who was the referee for Pereira versus Rountree, was blown away by the light heavyweight champion’s sheer power! And this revelation was made by Joe Rogan. In a discussion with his ESPN MMA commentary partners after the event, Rogan disclosed, “I was in the Octagon after the fight and Marc Goddard came up to me and he said ‘I’ve been doing this for 20 years,’ and he goes ‘the way he [Pereira] hits people’, he goes, ‘the sound is like nothing I’ve ever heard before. He said it’s ‘ungodly.’ That’s what he kept saying, he says ‘it’s ungodly.'”

Of course, the light heavyweight champion’s one-punch knockout power is clear from his past performances, but it takes something really special to get someone as experienced as Goddard to use such strong language to describe your striking. What’s interesting is that this wasn’t the first time Goddard saw the action up close.

Previously, he was the referee at UFC 295- Prochazka vs. Pereira, UFC 291- Blachowicz vs. Pereira, and also UFC 281- Adesanya vs. Pereira.

In fact, Pereira’s sticking was so perilous that Rountree was transported to the hospital for precautionary reasons. This included stitches to several deep cuts he suffered during the fight. His right eye also took some serious damage.

Pereira recorded 129 total strikes landed, whereas Rountree had just 62. Similarly, the Brazilian had 127 significant strikes but his opponent had just 61. No doubt, Rountree took a lot of damage. But what is next for Pereira after defending his light heavyweight title thrice in the span of seven months?

Alex Pereira: Who is his next opponent after the UFC 307 victory?

At light heavyweight, Alex Pereira has a clear next opponent—#2 ranked Magomed Ankalaev. The Dagestani has been passed over twice by the UFC, despite being the foremost title contender for nearly a year. Most speculate that the UFC is reluctant to put ‘Poatan’ in the Octagon with Ankalaev, who, although a striker, does have a ground game, which might prove problematic for Pereira. That’s what rumors have suggested.

There are no real contenders and this could be why the UFC had to go all the way down to #8 ranked Rountree for the UFC  307 main event. Well, except for Ankalaev, it seems there is not much choice for the UFC CEO to put in front of Pereira.

However, Ankalaev revealed something in August. “@AlexPereiraUFC you are a liar. You said I turned fire down against you @DanaWhite, @MickMaynard2 never offer me a fight against you. I’m gonna make you eat your word after I handle my business,” he wrote on X. What made him write this?

Well, Pereira had claimed that Ankalaev refused a fight against him. “I don’t know the reason, if it was the location, if he didn’t want to fight. He isn’t the champion, he can’t pick anything. It’s the opportunity that shows up and he didn’t want it,” ‘Poatan’ had opined.

So the Dagestani seems to be the next opponent for Pereira. But the Brazilian also has his eyes on the heavyweight division and intends to move up. His aspirations were paused by Dana White, who wanted him to clean up the light heavyweight division, before a potential move. Well, we will have to wait and watch Alex Pereira’s next move.

Do you want to see Pereira in a heavyweight bout? Let us know in the comments below.